Replacement for Philips SRM 5100 remote

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smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 83885 23-May-2011 10:55

Our Philips SRM 5100 remote has just quit working. I think maybe the boy used it as a drum stick one too many times....

Anyway, I need a replacement, but I'm not seeing the 5100 all over TM like I used to. Any equivalents out there now? Kinda need (want) it soon so thinking NZ at this stage. A real shame cause I was very happy with it.

Requirements:
- Full control of Win7 MC
- Turn Panasonic plasma on/off
- Turn Integra amp on off, plus volume and source.

Have seen the AIM one that there's a few of on TM, but according to the info I found it is not programmable and does not have TV/amp buttons.

Used to have a Logitech 525 but to be honest I found it kinda awkward. Never got the hang of the macro's with a toggle-power TV, and it was too much like a computer and not enough like a remote for wifie. Would revisit them if they've got better.

Thanks heaps

Jaxson

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# 472860 23-May-2011 11:08

smac: not enough like a remote for wifie.

How did you set up your philips remote?

Did the wife/operator have to know to turn on the TV and then select this input and then turn on the htpc etc, and then change it all around if you wanted to use something else etc?

That's where the harmony got really good, in that the user on has to know what they want to do and then select this activity from the list. With the harmony the user doesn't have to know anything about your system at all to make it work.

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 472865 23-May-2011 11:14

The Philips has provision for multiple devices but I ignored that - every single button was programmable so I had one set of buttons doing everything. Simply rehashed the volumes buttons to be amp rather than TV, used coloured buttons for amp power etc.

As I said, open to other ideas, but do like the idea that the Philips was specifically targeted at media centre. How to the logitechs handle media button etc?

Nety

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# 472921 23-May-2011 12:50

Logitech Harmony's support the media center commands fully. I think you need to get your head around how they work before you try setting them up or you will get frustrated expecting them to work like a traditional remote.
They are ACTIVITY based NOT hardware based. You mention that you rehashed the volume to work the amp well that sums up how the Harmony works. It rehashes the buttons for you. So you tell it that you watch the media centre on the TV but use the AMP for the sound it will then have the guide button as a example sent to the media centre while the volume will go to the AMP and (trying to think of what you would do to the TV) say the display zoom would go to the TV (ewww please don't change the "zoom")
You are right it is a nuisance if your devices do not have discrete on/off commands and also if they do not have discreet input commands but it is still miles better then what you had.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 472931 23-May-2011 13:06

Must be a personal preference thing cause what I had worked perfectly for us.

I understand conceptually how the Logitech works, but previously the toggle on/off was a deal breaker. If I could select "watch TV" but not have it send the on/off command I'd be happy. Can it do that?

The issue was, with everything off, I hit "watch TV" and everything fires up. Cool. Now I want to watch a DVD, so hit "Watch DVD" and the TV turns off. Stoopid. Shouldn't have to turn everything off in between. I also now have an HTPC that runs 24/7. I wouldn't want any power commands being sent to that either, but assume the PC would have to be one of the devices assigned to the tasks for the media buttons to work.

If they handle this sort of thing now, cool I may re-look at them. If not, anyone got any other suggestions?

Jaxson

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# 472933 23-May-2011 13:12

smac: If I could select "watch TV" but not have it send the on/off command I'd be happy. Can it do that?

Yes. And it always has been like that.

You can select that you don't turn the power on and off for a device, so it always stays on.

It also shouldn't behave as you describe it later on too. If you change activities where the TV is required to be on for both, it won't turn the TV off.

Where you run into problems is if any other remotes are still being used. If the harmony is the only device turning the TV on and off it should keep track of where it's at. (If not you can use the help button.) If something else has turned the TV off it's never going to know where it's at.

A lack of discrete input commands is far more painful than a power toggle. Also though, you could check the database as often there are discrete on/off/input commands that are in the database but not on the original remote (to save space on the original remote).

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 472985 23-May-2011 14:30

Hmmm....maybe my memory is failing then. Was a few years ago.

Would my existing Philips IR USB dongle pick up the Harmony?

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 473552 24-May-2011 17:44

Anybody else have any ideas? There's an ebay seller who seems to think my Philips IR receiver will work for Harmony remotes.

So does anyone have any other suggestions for an IR programmable remote that will do Win7 MC or is it 'Logitech or die'?

Nety

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# 473567 24-May-2011 18:36

If the ir was receiving them OK with your last remote it should be fine with this one. Far as the IR is concerned it does not know it is not a "real" MS remote.

Also as above the remote will not turn stuff off when going from one activity to another one unless it is not required.
As for the MC I have mine set to go to sleep so I still have it set to turn the MC on and off however in Windows I have it set to not shut down so basically if the MC is running nothing happens if it is off it wakes it up and when you finish and tell everything to shut down the MC just ignores that command.

rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 473898 25-May-2011 13:25

smac: If not, anyone got any other suggestions?

I too have a 5100 and am happy with it.
I don't stuff around with the modes. I just leave it on TV.
- Vol Up/Down programmed to Amp
- Power programmed to TV
- Doesn't drain batteries fast
- Texting in search boxes actually works

If I were you, I'd try harder to get another one. Get two! Pricespy maybe?

smac

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 473917 25-May-2011 13:44

Found one this morning! Second hand - very happy happy now.